Random thoughts on bike maintenance
On bringing back gummed up trigger shifters from the dead. I used to apply Tri-flow liberally, let it sit, actuate the shifters and blow the Tri-flow out with an air compressor. MESSY! Usually had to...
View Article18 broken spokes!
Yesterday I replaced 18 spokes across 5 of our pedicab wheels. All of the broken spokes were inside spokes. One wheel had 7 broken spokes all in a row. I don’t know a ton about wheel physics, but that...
View ArticleBuilding a cheap commuter bike
Commuting by bike has increased in recent years, and so has bike manufacturer offerings in the “commuter bike” category. If commuting by bike is something you’re interested in, you can get into it much...
View ArticleAdventures in wheelbuilding, Part 0
Having become fairly proficient at wheel truing and replacing spokes, I’m about to build some bicycle wheels. I’ve read Sheldon Brown’s wheelbuilding guide, as well as several other sources of...
View ArticleNew bike parts? Torque the bolts!
I installed a new crankset on my mountain bike about 50 miles ago. Took it out for a ride this morning and not long into the ride began to hear a “kling kling kling” sound while pedaling. After a bit...
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Peugeot Marseille Mixte Bicycle Before & After
I recently happened upon a matched pair of Men’s/Women’s Peugeot Marseille bicycles. I’ve refurbished a few Peugeots, and these are the nicest, most modern ones I’ve come across. Here’s the mixte:...
View ArticlePOC Trabec helmet, stuck seatposts, etc
Talked with the shop’s POC rep a few days ago. Apparently the new POC helmet models, including the Trabec, will not hit American soil until April 1. Bummer. I have come across several discussions of...
View ArticleNeed a new bicycle chain? Check out this chain test data first.
Looks like there’s finally some controlled environment testing of bicycle chains for both longevity and stretch under load. Wipperman chains of Hagen, Germany contracted a company called Cantitoe Road...
View ArticleWhat kind of bicycle tools do I need?
I see this question posed on various bicycle related sites on a regular basis. I have answered it more than once. Therefore, I decided to put together a document which provides a comprehensive listing...
View ArticleThe sad shape of the occasional cyclist’s bicycle
Having attended a small kids focused community bicycle event earlier today, I must express my disbelief at the sad shape of most of the bicycles at the event. The environment takes a heavy toll on...
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